A WHITE LIMESTONE AMULET OF SOBEK, PTOLEMAIC PERIOD
Lot 44 - ANT1125

Egypt, 332-30 BC. Neatly modeled to depict two intertwined crocodiles crouching on a rectangular base, their bodies coiling around one another. The surfaces finely incised to convey their scaly texture, while the heads naturalistically rendered. A suspension loop set on the back of one crocodile.

Although uncommon, limestone was occasionally used in ancient Egypt for amulets and small votive figures. As a soft and easily worked stone, it was readily available and could be carved with fine detail, then painted or gilded to enhance its appearance. Unlike harder and more symbolically charged materials such as carnelian, jasper, or faience, limestone held primarily a practical rather than mystical value. Its use typically reflected the intention of a funerary purpose, where the amulet’s symbolic function outweighed the need for durability. In such contexts, limestone served as a humble yet meaningful substitute—its pale, light tone associated with purity, rebirth, and the divine realm—making it suitable for objects meant to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.

Provenance: The Saoud bin Mohammed Ali Al-Thani Foundation. With an old collector’s label affixed to the base, inscribed ’93.75’. Saoud bin Mohammed Ali Al-Thani (1966-2014) was a Qatari prince who served as minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage. By the turn of the 21st century, Sheikh Saoud had established an international reputation as an avid art collector, both for his own collection as well as those of several state-owned museums he oversaw in Qatar. Sheikh Saoud’s legacy as a collector is remarkable, as he laid the foundations of the major collections of Qatar Museums. In 2021, the Museum of Islamic Art hosted an exhibition in tribute to the legendary collector, titled A Falcon's Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani.
Condition: Good condition with expected wear and firing irregularities. Light signs of abrasion. Small losses, some of which have smoothened over time, and minor chips, mostly to edges.

Weight: 6.6 g
Dimensions: Length 2.5 cm

Crocodiles were regarded in ancient Egypt as dangerous animals, reflecting their aggressive and fearsome reputation. Yet Sobek, the deity represented in this amulet, embodied a benevolent aspect as a god of water. From his sweat the Nile was said to flow, rendering the valley fertile. In this capacity, he was also connected to the myths of rebirth in the afterlife and particularly invoked to guard against the perils of the imposing river. His cult endured as a constant presence in the Egyptian pantheon for more than two millennia, remaining significant well into the Roman era.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related faience amulet with two intertwined crocodiles, Egypt, Late period, dated 630-525 BC, 5.2 cm long, in the British Museum, registration number UC54640. Compare a related faience amulet in the form of a crocodile, Egypt, Late to Ptolemaic period, dated 600-200 BC, 4.2 cm long, in the Harvard Art Museums, object number 1984.674.